Paint guide



K. P. THOSS Dec. 28, 1954 PAINT GUIDE Filed Jan. 9, 1952 INVENTOR. Kuz'r 5 7710.55.

United States Patent PAINT GUIDE Kurt P. T hoss, North Manchester, Ind.

Application January 9, 1952, Serial No. 265,648

1 Claim. (Cl. 118504) This invention relates to a paint guide.

The primary object is to provide a novel paint guide adapted to be used by a householder or other inexperienced painter for the purpose of delineating a sharp line of color separation between two adjoining surfaces which are to be painted differently.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is provided with a handle and lateral projections adapted to contact a surface to be protected, and also having a guide edge which is positioned in predetermined protective relation to the surface engaged by said lateral projections.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a guide portion provided with a guide edge and with a support for positioning said guide member in predetermined relation to a surface to be protected.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which holds a guide edge spaced from the surface to be protected so that paint running on said guide member will not flow around the same and into contact with the surface to be protected either as the device is held stationary or as it is moved from place to place as painting progresses.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, easy to use, light in weight, and which is trouble-free in operation.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan View of one form of the device.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional view of another modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 f

to 4, inclusive, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a handle portion and the numeral 12 designates a head portion. The two parts 10 and 12 are preferably formed integrally, as from a single piece of sheet metal bent to shape by the use of forming dies or the like. The general configuration of the device is substantially T-shaped, as illustrated in Fig. l. The head 12 is preferably substantially fiat for the major portion of its extent but may have marginal flanges 14 bent therefrom for the purpose of reinforcing the head. A bend 16 is formed in the head 12, the same preferably extending longitudinally of the head and transverse of the handle 10. The metal extends upwardly from the bend 16 and thence is again bent at 18 to define a terminal or blade portion 20 which is offset from the head 12 and pro ects forwardly therefrom preferably at a slight angle to the head 12.

The handle portion 10 extends at an angle to the plane of the head 12 and is preferably bent arcuately at 22, defining flanges which facilitate its use as a hand grip and impart strength and rigidity to the unit. Lateral pro ections are provided which cooperate with the bend or offset 16 of the head to hold the handle 10 111 proper spaced relation to a work surface and to hold the blade 20 in proper attitude with respect to the work surface. As here shown, three lateral projections are provided, but

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it will be understood that this numberis illustrative and that only one or two, or more than three, may be provided as desired. In the arrangement shown, a projection 24 is formed at the rear end of the handle 10, the same preferably being of arcuate cross-section as shown and being located centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Two legs or projections 26 are formed at opposite sides of the handle at its junction with the head 12. The parts 0 are preferably'so arranged that the end surfaces of the til legs 24 and 26 will lie in a plane to which the bend 16 of the head is tangent, so that the parts 16, 24 and 26 may contact a surface 28. The blade will be provided with a straight outer edge transverse of the handle which is positioned at its topmost surface spaced from the surface 28 by the distance 30. In this connection it will be observed that the front edge of the blade 20 will preferably be clear of the surface 28. The surface to be painted and whose painting is to be sharply defined by the blade 20 is illustrated at 32 and is adapted to be engaged by the free edge of the blade 20.

In the use of the device it is gripped by the handle and moved into position so that the parts 16, 24 and 26 will engage the surface 28 and the edge of the blade will touch the surface 32 adjacent its junction with the surface 28. Thereupon the surface 32 may be painted, using the edge of the blade 20 to delineate and limit the painting operation. As the painting progresses, the device is moved along the surface 28 with its free edge in abutment with the surface 32. The accurate positioning of the blade is assured at all times by the contact of the abutment parts 16, 24 and 26 with the surface 28. The blade portion 20 preferably terminates clear of or spaced from the surface 28 so that if any paint flows around the free edge of the blade and contacts the bottom surface thereof, it will not transfer to the surface 28. The positioning of the handle portion 10 rearwardly of the part 16, so that pressure applied thereto acts to effect contact of the abutments 24 and 26 with the surface 28, insures against a tilting of the blade 20 in a direction to contact the surface 28.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 5 and is particularly adapted or suited to a construction which is either cast from a metal or is molded from a synthetic resin, such as a cellulose acetate material. In this instance the rear portion of the device, including the handle and the abutment 24, may be substantially similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 and front abutments 26 may be provided if desired. The plate portion or head portion 12 may be provided with the reinforcing flanges 14 at its margin or elsewhere. The formation of the material as a molding or casting permits its contour and configuration at the blade thereof to be substantially as illus trated with the blade portion 40 extending at an angle to the head 12 at the front thereof and preferably tapering to a sharp edge 42. A downwardly projecting fulcrum or contact member 44 or a number of short abutment parts spaced lengthwise of the blade are formed at the rear of the blade so as to lie tangent to the surface 28 which is contacted by the lateral projections 26 etc. of the rear portion of the device. The arrangement will preferably be such, due to the flat formation of the bottom of the blade 40 upwardly offset from the projection 44, that a clearance 3d will be provided between the bottom of the blade and the surface 28. This construction possesses the same advantages as the first embodiment and it differs principally with respect to the blade formation as made possible by the fact that the unit is cast or molded rather than being struck from a metal sheet and shaped, as by forming dies.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 6. The Fig. 6 construction is also intended for fabrication as a metal casting or as a synthetic resin molding. In the Fig. 6 construction the front plate or head 12 may have the marginal reinforcing flange 14 and preferably terminates at its bottom in an enlarged or thickened transverse part having a horizontal groove 50 formed in its front face and having a bottom surface 52 which is positioned in the same plane as the surface engaging parts 26 etc. at the rear of the device. In this construction a metal, plastic or like blade 54 of selected length may be mounted detachably in the groove 50 and held in place thereby. The bottom surface of the blade 54 will be upwardly offset from the plane of the bottom surface 52 of the grooved head 50. This device is used in the same manner as that described previously.

While it is preferred that the blade which provides the edge for guiding painting shall be offset from the surface which it contacts, this is not essential. Thus, a construction may be made as illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the head 12 has a tapered reinforcing flange 14 and extends in a plane inclined relative to the surface 28 which is to be protected thereby and which is engaged by the parts 26. etc. The front edge 60 of the blade in this instance is so located that it touches the surface 28, while the supporting parts 26, etc., of the device touch the said surface 28. Stated differently, the blade edge 60 will touch both the surface 28 and the surface 32.

It will be understood that in all forms, the edge of the blade will be straight and will extend transversely of the handle so that the blade edge, coupled with a projection from the handle and spaced from the blade, will provide at least the equivalent of a three-point support for firmly maintaining the device in stable contact with the surface to be protected.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be'rnade within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A paint guide comprising an elongated handle having a lateral projection for supporting the handle in spaced relation to a work surface, said handle having one end inclined forwardly towards the work surface and terminating in an elongated transverse portion having a straight guide edge and projections on the underside of said transverse portion spaced longitudinally thereof to support the same in spaced relation to the work surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 554,403 Warneke Feb. 11, 1896 624,796 Hardin May 9, 1899 695,965 Taylor et al Mar. 25, 1902 1,001,532 Kenyon et a1 Aug. 22, 1911 1,411,462 Wendt Apr. 4, 1922 2,098,005 Holt Nov. 2, 1937 2,289,136 Matter July 7, 1942 2,290,472 Hendrick July 21, 1942 

